Meaningful Learning and Schema Theory

“Meaningful learning is the process of relating potentially meaningful information to what the learner already known in a non - arbitrary and substantive way.”

Schemas (Schemata) are knowledge packets stored in long-term memory and are organized around a central theme or topic. To interpret a particular situation in terms of schema; we need to match the elements in that situation to schematic knowledge structure.

I would like to compare the three different educational systems I worked with. The first one is the Indian educational system. Most of my studies are from India. Indian education system is very successful these days. However, the method of learning in India is mainly reception learning. Of course, a small part of the learning process uses Discovery learning. Tests and papers are always a part of the learning. The schemata created in India were connected with the Indian culture.

When I started teaching in the Arabian Gulf Country, Oman, things were different. The life of the people heavily related to religion and the culture. The schemata for that community are different. The learning methods are almost similar to Indian methods but so many restrictions.

Presently in US, I am studying for the master’s program "MIST". I am introduced to a very different schemata. The learning here, always need you to know the material and the evaluation follows a point system.

Comparing the three systems, I think, the system here in the US is much more follows a meaningful learning path. That is why, after the degree the learner becomes a well-rounded individual and not just someone who can learn things from a book and be a good test taker.

In each country, my schemata from Indian culture were restricting me to change. However, I made up my mind to change. I have given full concentration to my studies. I convinced myself about the differences around. Now I am totally following the learning system here by altering my schemata.

(Reference: Driscoll, M (2005). Psychology of Learning For Instruction. Boston, MA: Pearson Education Inc.)